IF YOU GET YOUR 8 HOURS OF SLEEP, YOU’RE WINNING.

You’re not lazy. There is nothing wrong with you. You are actually

Hi, Annie here.  I love sleeping.

When people describe themselves as a “night” or “morning” person I never understand…because I could not stay up late for the life of me and I HATE waking up in the morning…So what am I?

I’m a “sleep” person.

Seriously though.  Not only do I like and need sleep but I am good at it. I might as well be dead to the world when I my head is on the pillow.  Just for some perspective – I was LITERALLY the kid at sleepovers who had her face drawn on with sharpie because there was no chance in hell I was going to wake up – yes that actually happened.

If you relate to me, awesome. Keep it up, you’re doing UH-MAZING. #holleratmysleepers

I tried to be that person who functions off of 5 hours of sleep. HELL. TO THE. NO.  I was sick all the time, no energy, had to consume un-Godly amounts of caffeine to function and ALWAYS wanted to die at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. No good.

I need my 8 hours and I have learned to accept that.

So in college you better believe I threw a small party when my professor explained how insanely important sleeping is to our health.  ALL OF IT. Immune system function, brain function, cell, tissue and muscle repair and regeneration, digestion and hormone balance, ALL OF IT!  #bestdayever.

Just feeling so healthy over here. {enter hair flip}.

There is TONS of research linking sleep or lack thereof to everything listed above.  Weight gain, diabetes and heart disease are also linked to poor sleep.

When we’re asleep, our bodies regenerate all systems on every level.  Another plus – our bodies are in a fat burning zone. #score.

Our society has made it acceptable to sleep for 5 hours every night and consume all the energy drinks and coffee.

HI YOU SHOULDN’T NEED THOSE!!! THE VERY FACT THAT SOMEONE NEEDS AN ENERGY DRINK OR COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF COFFEE SHOULD TELL US THAT SOMETHING ISN’T RIGHT!

Just because its normal doesn’t mean it’s healthy. {enter lightbulb}.

Try it, try making SLEEP a priority for TWO WEEKS…Sleep for 8 hours EVERY night for TWO WEEKS.

At first you might feel more tired because your body is actually getting what it needs, and wants more.  It’s normal.  But stick with it. Get those 8 hours for 14 days.  Then go back to your old sleeping schedule. Almost guaranteed you’ll feel like death. You’re doing a sleep deprivation detox my friend.  DO IT. Your body quite literally needs it.

Get your sleep, make it a priority, and see how you feel.

P.S.  Tag a friend who needs more sleep, or comment below saying you’re in the need more sleep club!

Other blog posts you may find helpful:

5 reasons you’re not seeing results

3 Weight-loss tactics that don’t work

What it takes to be toned

Love this blog and don’t want to miss out? Join my tribe here!